Lita joined the Blues on loan in September and scored three goals in 10 appearances for the Championship club.

However, his stint at St Andrew's has been cut short due to a niggling thigh problem, with the frontman to undergo rehabilitation in South Wales, the two clubs confirmed on Monday.

Swansea said on their official website: "Lita has been struggling with a nagging thigh injury and, with his three-month loan spell due to end in mid-December, both clubs agreed to the striker returning to Swansea for his rehabilitation.

"While both clubs are disappointed that the loan has been cut short, they have not ruled out the possibility of Lita returning to St Andrews for another loan spell in the future."

Meanwhile, Swansea midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung has been ruled out of this weekend's trip to Newcastle with an injury picked up in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Southampton.

A scan on Monday revealed South Korean Ki has suffered a hamstring tear and will be sidelined for seven to 10 days.

Bad news

"It's bad news but it's part of football. When it is only one or two weeks it is not too bad," manager Michael Laudrup told the South Wales Evening Post.

"With the experiences we have had this season with Neil (Taylor) and Kyle (Bartley), it's not that much.

"It's looking like maybe one or two games but we have to live with that. It gives chances to other people.

"Garry Monk has just played two and a bit games so that's why we say people have to be ready because suddenly you can be needed.

ood grief. Someone guessed that the form English player at the moment might be in his national side with some other players? And that's espionage? Now if they discovered that Emile Heskey was going to be in the starting line up.... at right back.... THAT would be espionage. Give it a rest Roy.